To think Black Out nights in theatre ARE important

[PenguinLord]

I know there was a theatre that did it last year and a thread about it- but there is a West End venue this year which will host two or three black out nights (where "all-black-identifying audiences" are invited) of the Slave Play. I had mixed feelings, but after having read a few articles on it, I actually agree with the concept- for the record I am very much white.

Spokesperson for the PM criticised black out nights saying "“The prime minister is a big supporter of the arts and he believes that the arts should be inclusive".

But let's face it, theatre experience is far from inclusive or accessible. Having 2 out of a few dozen nights will not really make a difference, nor excludes people who are not black to attend literally 80 if not more other performances. I was in theatre this week, and had a good look around. 98% of the audience were white. There were a few Asian people and 1 (one) black person- in the audience of around 300.

I suppose Id be far less likely to attend an event where I would stick out like a very sore thumb, is it really such a big deal to have two performances where people who dont usually feel theatre is an inclusive space can feel welcome, surrounded by people that belong to the same community?

I am not saying that anyone does or doesn't need a safe space. I'm merely saying that, if some black people feel that they want or need such a space, I respect that. It isn't for me to judge.

Of course, some back people won't think it's necessary or appropriate, and I respect their views as well.

It isn't about segregation.

Not all people with black heritage need to agree. Those who don’t want to attend a black out performance can attend any of the other nights.

I had quite a few friends of African and Caribbean origin and there was ‘banter’ between them about who descended from the sellers and who from the sold. (That sounds fucking awful now when I write it). So I think some black people will feel the history and legacy of slavery, perhaps in their own family trees, more keenly than others.

it is about choice and equality in this situation means giving black people the opportunity to heal from something that I (white) don’t need to heal from. Not every black person will need that opportunity but it doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be offered.

For God's sake, how is a white person in 2024 responsible for their ancestors oppression of others?

I say this as a beige person

Maybe we should ban poor people from watching The Crown?

And black people are not asked not to attend 🙄

YANBU I fully support black out nights. Those trying to enter into a whataboutism competition about white only showings are just showing their ignorance

Agree. And I imagine the subject matter could be highly emotive for many audience members and frankly, for a white woman like me to chuck the reverse racism card (because someone on here will do that very soon, I will put money on it) and insist white people should be welcome is disgustingly ghoulish actually. Why do I need to see someone's trauma and upset? Everybody hates a tourist

In a way- wrong. Racism/institunalised racism is a thing.
The fact people dont feel equal is a fact. The way I see it is that to create a more equal society, everyone needs to make a bit of an effort to make people feel like they can and do belong. It's not about blaming or faults, just stating that for some people it may take longer and they may need more encouragement to participate in certain activities. And Black out Nights is aiming at doing exactly that.

to me this is more segregation than anything else

Are you white?

Jesus Christ what is it, 3 shows out of 80? There are plenty of opportunities for anyone to watch . Is is so hard to allow a demographic whose ancestors were so disgustingly oppressed to have this shared reflection just with others like them?

Really / what as a white person excluded from just these three nights, losing? Why am I impacted?

Although it’s obvious how this post is going to go, MN has had a long history of having issues with racism - esp on AIBU (mainly due to the avg age and race of those mostly on AIBU)

it is about choice and equality in this situation means giving black people the opportunity to heal from something that I (white) don’t need to heal from. Not every black person will need that opportunity but it doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be offered

Approx 1.25 million White people, were captured by pirates and sold as slaves in North Africa, between the 15th and 19th centuries. How come you don't need to recover from that? Those were your ancestors, after all. Is it because it didn't actually happen to you? And it didn't personally happen to anyone in current audiences either.

When will be ever move past racism, when so much divisive stuff keeps on happening?

"So white people would be able to ask Black people not to attend a certain performance?"

If it was a play about the historic oppression of white people by black people then yes of course.

Lion400
Segregation is never ok. MLK knew it why don’t we?

This is not about segregation, though. It's about providing a safe space.

Very different.

//

👏 I cannot believe people are not getting this

It's because they don't agree with you.

I can't believe you don't understand that other people are allowing have a difference of opinion without them not 'getting it'.

If this wasn’t a thing I’d probably never have heard of this play, and even if I did I’d file it alongside nearly all of the West End with ‘sounds alright but not interested enough to spend a chunk of disposable income on’. I imagine that reaction is what the writer is actually seeking to guard against.

Why are you pretending to speak for every person of colour? You’re just making yourself look silly.

I'm okay with it.

I think there is a significant difference when the exclusion is imposed by the advantaged group - segregation - and when it's done by the disadvantaged group - solidarity.

As a woman I can see the benefit in women only spaces so why should it be different for race, religion, age, disability etc.

It's not about excluding white people but about lifting up black people, about giving them an experience that white people (at a group level, not an individual one ) don't ever have to think about or question whether they belong.

When will we be able to move past racism?

I don't know know, maybe when people like you are finally able to acknowledge the ongoing impact of historic wrongs on black people and on other ethnic minorities in our society?

Safe from the big bad white peoples

Safe from what?

A female only audience would NEVER be allowed. Women are currently fighting for female only rape counselling sessions. So why should a black only performance be allowed?

I think it’s divisive too.

As for ‘safe space’ - please. Trigger warnings and safe spaces are increasingly being scrutinised as ineffective therapeutically. Look up Jonathan Haidt and Abigail Shrier.

Oh I get that others have a different opinion. Obviously.

I just think it takes a special type of ignorance on a discussion like this to have the other view point actually.

As I asked - if a tiny proportion of nights available are only for people of colour why is so this harmful to white people? And to compare it to segregation is highly disrespectful.

You will of course disagree with that.

I absolutely am not- and not speaking for anyone as a matter of fact. My view was that as a white person I am not offended by the idea, and if (some/many?) black people are in favour of it as well then it should go ahead.